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'Little Boy With Green Tractor': NJ Town's Popular Landscaper Brandon Santos Dies, 20
If grass needed to be cut in Beachwood, Brandon Santos was there to do it — happily.
He was just 12 years old when he began pushing his lawnmower around town, later upgrading to a bicycle with an attached trailer and then finally, a mower, according to his obituary on the Mastapeter Memorial Home website.
Brandon became known around town as "the little boy with the green tractor," ultimately starting his own law mowing business, BS Landscaping.
But Brandon died on Sunday, June 8, at just 20 years old.
When he wasn't cutting grass, Santos enjoyed riding dirt bikes, working on cars, jet ski…
NJ Man, Father Of Two, Missing Since May
Dan Butkus, a 36-year-old Sussex County resident, has been missing since Friday, May 16, his family said.
Butkus was last seen leaving his apartment in the 500 section of Stonegate Village in Stanhope, his aunt Peggy McNichol Peterson said. He left his wallet, cellphone and glasses behind, Peterson said.
He has light brown hair, brown eyes and is 5'11", weighing between 170 and 200 pounds, Stanhope Police said.
"His family and friends believe his disappearance is suspicious and are concerned for his safety and well-being," Stanhope Police said.
Police said they searched the apa…
Deadly Bacteria Risk In Fish Sold Across NJ Prompts Large Recall, FDA Says
A smoked fish recall is affecting more than 70 grocery stores across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut due to a life-threatening botulism risk, health officials said.
P. East Trading Corp., based in The Bronx, NY, issued the recall on Tuesday, June 10, the Food and Drug Administration said. State inspectors found that P. East's Salted Smoked Split Herring was uneviscerated and longer than five inches.
The long fish is a violation that increases the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
"Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following …
US Issues Do Not Travel Warning 'For Any Reason' To This Country
The United States Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest severity classification, strongly advising American citizens against all travel to Iraq.
The advisory cites significant safety concerns, including the threats of terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, and civil unrest, which pose serious risks to travelers in the region.
In the warning released on Wednesday, June 11, the State Department emphasized, “Do not travel to Iraq for any reason.”
The warning cites terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the US government’s limited ab…
Woman, 2 Men Paid People To Produce Videos Of Monkeys Being Tortured, DOJ Says
Three Americans have been accused of participating in online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.
An indictment, unsealed on Wednesday, June 11, names Katrina D. Favret, of Tennessee, and Robert M. Craig, of North Carolina, according to the US Department of Justice.
They are accused of conspiring with Ronald P. Bedra, of Etna, Ohio — who was previously charged — to produce so-called animal crush videos. Favret is also charged with directly creating and distributing such content.
According to court documents, the group wo…
Pride, With Purpose: 2025’s Retailers Promoting Pride Month This June
As June begins, so does Pride Month. It's a time to celebrate identity, visibility, and progress. While some brands have taken a quieter approach this year, others continue to show up with meaningful campaigns, financial contributions, and a commitment to inclusion that goes beyond surface-level gestures.
For many, Pride Month is also a time to support the organizations driving lasting change. Groups such as PFLAG, the nation's first and largest organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, and the Trevor Project, a leading force in suicide prevention and crisis…
$46K, Drugs Seized In Hackensack Bust; Man Arrested, Police Say
A Hackensack man is facing serious charges after police say they uncovered a stash of drugs and $46,000 in cash during a motor vehicle stop and a search of his apartment.
On Wednesday, June 11, Detectives Michael Reo and Aaron Rios of Hackensack PD's Crime Suppression Bureau stopped a 2025 Ford Explorer on Route 80 west near East Kennedy Street, Police Chief Michael Antista said.
Inside the vehicle, officers found “a significant amount" of unregulated marijuana and cash, Antista said.
The driver, identified as Felix Molina, was arrested and taken to police headquarters. Later that nig…
Retired Cop Kills Wife, Then Himself In Long Island Murder-Suicide: Police
A retired Long Island police officer shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself inside their Jamesport home, Suffolk County Police announced on Thursday, June 12.
Edward Crohan, 62, fatally shot his wife, Stephanie Crohan, 63, and then took his own life, according to a police press release.
Riverhead Town Police were called to 56 Lagoon Court around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11 for a welfare check. When officers arrived, they found both Edward and Stephanie dead from gunshot wounds, Suffolk County Homicide Squad detectives said.
Edward Crohan retired from the Town of Sou…
